On today’s stage at the refuelling my team-mate Ruben (Faria) arrived and signalled to me that he had a problem with his wheel. Before I started the second part of the special stage I had about 20 seconds to dig out my spoke key from my kit and throw it over to Ruben. Then I started to race and I thought to myself – “I hope I don’t need that key later or I’ll be in trouble”.

The Dakar is a race that you must respect until the very finish but it was satisfying to be able to exert some control on today’s stage. Today we were the bosses because we decided something and it worked.

Well then who, no what is he. - The Alien Master, Alien King, King of the Aliens or just CDP - I for one really hope he makes it home in that no. 1 spot.

On today’s stage at the refuelling my team-mate Ruben (Faria) arrived and signalled to me that he had a problem with his wheel. Before I started the second part of the special stage I had about 20 seconds to dig out my spoke key from my kit and throw it over to Ruben. Then I started to race and I thought to myself – “I hope I don’t need that key later or I’ll be in trouble”.

I was taking care of my engine and conserving some energy on the stage because I knew towards the end there would be lots of navigation in the dunes. So the chance came for me to help out Ruben and pay something back for all he has done for me as a team-mate. For Ruben to be more sure of his second place in the overall timings I knew it would be helpful it I took things nice and easy at the front of the race.

Ruben was chasing Chaleco (Lopez) who was riding on my rear wheel so I thought I would take down my speed and let him pass. So Chaleco, Goncalves and Barreda all came past me and then it was up to them to navigate. I had a front row seat to watch them struggling to find the route in the dunes and all the while I knew Ruben must be making up time.

The Dakar is a race that you must respect until the very finish but it was satisfying to be able to exert some control on today’s stage. Today we were the bosses because we decided something and it worked.

Some of the TV France footage showed the sweeper trucks (and some civillian vehicles) engaged in recovery missions at several different crossings... at that point I think the "outside assistance rules" go out the "force majeur" window and it's recue by any and all means possible that becomes the rule of thumb.

memorable images of a unique day on the Dakar

Never actually seen a flash flood in the dunes/sand, it just consumes cars and bikes like a giant alien

Portugal's Helder Rodrigues wanted to be more than the companion Despres and Coma on the podium, as he had done the last two years. He won the World Rally Championship in 2011 and wanted to gain prominence in the Dakar in this edition. Not surprisingly, came riding a Honda, a CRF 450 Rally, developed especially for the return of the official Japanese team. But its reappearance in Dakar, 24 years later, has been more of a disaster. Rodrigues began to climb down the second day, the first of open desert. When rolling with the fourth fastest time, started having problems with gasoline and was forced to slow down to avoid running out of fuel before the end of the special. "I lost a lot of time," he recalls. He yielded to the winner ten minutes, Barreda. And he stayed with the 15th best time, not much. The worst thing is that faults have occurred since. Just a day after that the Portuguese, 33, returned to have problems with the fuel pump. On arrival in Nazca, had given another 25 minutes over Francisco Lopez, the best of the day. "In just two days the Dakar is more complicated than in recent years," conceded heartbroken.

"Then, little by little, I was recovering. And when I was skimming the podium I again had a breakdown and I lost everything, "he says. It was two days ago when a cable broke, the bike stopped and he lost 48 minutes to fix it: "The plan was to attack and I was doing. I was flying, had committed no error in navigation, was quick in rocky areas and in the dunes, "he recalled. But, again, something went wrong. Is disappointed. He aspired to much more and hoped that six months would be sufficient for a powerful factory as Honda. But that has not happened.

"It's all new. And this bike is very young. We need more time to develop the bike. In half a year we could not do it, we don't compete in the Dakar for a long time and we lack experience. Our first victory was to be at the start, in Lima, "said Katsumi Yamazaki, project leader for Honda Dakar, which was already the head of command when the factory winged competed from 1981 to 1989. In the 80's Honda won four titles. To return to winning they need more time, at least. "The Dakar is special. The tests can not play stages of 800 kilometers or about 600 special. We have gathered a lot of information and become stronger, "he adds. "We wanted to get on the podium, but it became impossible," says team manager, Henk Hellegers, frustrated, that does not hide the expectations that the project raised. What needs to improve? "Everything," says the Japanese. "You have to work on the durability of the bike", he assumes, aware of the significance that is if one is to be competitive in the Dakar. "You have to work hard. And in everything, "adds Rodrigues laconic.

Heard via SMS from Dave that he may have a blown head gasket in the dunes.

Potentially fixable. If he's out of water, the Dakar sweep truck will provide that...

Damn does Luis go the long way around the Dakar!

Thanks Ned,
Luis is showing an incredible effort, courage and resistance !
At the end of stage 10, Luis had spent in stages (excluding connections) about 74 hours.
Cyril, for example had spend only 31 hours.
Taking in consideration the different horse power, it's a hell of an achievement !!

I know exactly how those guys felt. A blackhawk helicopter rolled to within a foot of blade strike on lift off a couple of weeks ago at work. Part of you wants to run like hell. The other part of you knows that you're already completely f*cked, and it's going to be one hell of a spectacular show, so you'd might as well enjoy the front row seat!

__________________Nate in N.E.

Yes, I have a Dakar problem -- that there are 50 weeks of the year without Dakar!

Thanks Ned,
Luis is showing an incredible effort, courage and resistance !
At the end of stage 10, Luis had spent in stages (excluding connections) about 74 hours.
Cyril, for example had spend only 31 hours.
Taking in consideration the different horse power, it's a hell of an achievement !!